ABERDEEN today warned Celtic they would be wasting their time chasing Russell Anderson if they lose out in the race to sign Steven Pressley.

The former Hearts captain spent last night and today weighing up the offers presented to him by Charlton and Celtic.

The Premiership deal is more lucrative than what the Parkhead club have put on the table. But it would mean the 33-year-old defender uprooting his young family, and that is a major consideration.

Respective managers Alan Pardew and Gordon Strachan can only wait to see which way he goes, and Pressley - who has not played since skippering Hearts at Inverness on November 25 - has promised them a decision soon.

With a desperate need to add experienced cover at the back following the broken fibula and ligament damage sustained by Bobo Balde on Tuesday, Strachan knows he can't leave all his eggs in one basket.

The Celtic boss has a list of alternative targets, and Anderson figures highly on it.

But Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood has made it clear he would not stand back and allow his 28-year-old captain to be sold.

Calderwood said: "Russell is half way through his testimonial season and he is a very loyal kid.

"We've never spoken about the possibility of selling him. We feel we have a good chance of doing something here and Russell is a key part of our plans."

It would take serious money to get Anderson. And, with funds needed to also strengthen other areas of the side, landing free-agent Pressley would have advantages for Celtic.

Southampton boss George Burley admitted he is still monitoring Pressley's situation, but recognises he is the outsider in the three-horse race.

Pressley spent yesterday undergoing a medical at Charlton and talking with Addicks boss Alan Pardew, which has left the London club believing they are in pole position to land him.

Charlton's offer is understood to be around a third more than Celtic have been willing to pay.

But, apart from the upheaval, Pressley would be walking into a relegation dogfight as opposed to a team heading for another championship.

Pressley's legal advisor, Blair Morgan, certainly would not rule out the SPL leaders and said: "Celtic remain very interested and they have made that known to us. Steven has a straight choice between Celtic and Charlton.

"Steven has all the information to hand now and has to make his mind up. He should do that over the next 48 hours."